Detox Centers in Dunedin, FL

Dunedin, FL is a coastal community located in Pinellas County. It’s one of many counties in Florida struggling with a growing number of drug overdoses. Thanks to the approval of a $2 million federal grant, the people who live in and around Dunedin will have access to improved services.¹

The grant will be used to increase the distribution of overdose reversal medications such as Narcan and training for first responders.¹ It will also fund the creation of a community outreach program to help connect people suspected of having overdosed with additional treatment options and services.¹

The funding couldn’t come at a better time as overdoses in and around Dunedin are on the rise. In 2020, Pinellas County’s first-responders were sent to 5,725 suspected overdoses, a 34% increase from 2019.² Over one week in April 2021, there were 207 calls to 911 for a suspected overdose, an increase from previous years at the same time.³

Sadly, many of those overdose calls do not end well. According to The Pinellas County Opioid Task Force, more than one person dies from an opioid-related overdose in the county every day.² It goes beyond opioid use. The County Medical Examiners Office reported there were 547 drug-related deaths in Dunedin and the surrounding areas in 2020, an increase of 29% from the previous year.⁴

Help is available for people in Dunedin who are ready to address their substance use disorder. This can include addiction to many commonly used drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, inhalants, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications. Most people going through addiction utilize a combination of approaches including inpatient and outpatient programs, counseling, and medication to treat their substance use.

Dunedin and the surrounding area are home to several treatment facilities designed to address a variety of substance use disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), there are 65 facilities within 25 miles of Dunedin.⁵ Comparatively, there are more than 700 drug rehab centers located across Florida.⁶

The following treatment types are offered:⁵

• 16 facilities with detox, which is withdrawal from substance use while under supervision.
• 52 outpatient centers for patients who can live on their own during treatment.
• 3 hospital inpatient facilities that offer continuous care connected to a hospital.
• 21 residential treatment centers for patients who require live-in care for up to a year.
• 38 facilities with integrated care designed to address substance use and mental health simultaneously.

Recovering from a substance use disorder is a continuous process that requires thoughtful attention to the options available. Finding the right treatment setting in and around Dunedin and identifying the correct services to address a patient’s specific needs is critical to achieving long-term success.

Support groups are available in Dunedin for people seeking the encouragement and advice of others who understand the challenges of substance use disorders. Support groups provide a place for people to share their personal stories and struggles in a supportive environment.

The Pinellas County Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous holds a variety of meetings in Dunedin 7 days a week.⁷ The locations include:⁷

• The Warehouse Club, 2024 Main St.
• Weaver Park, 1258 Bayshore Blvd.
• Kirk of Dunedin Christian Church, 2686 Bayshore Blvd.
• Dunedin Assembly of God Church, 885 Lake Haven Rd.
• Presbyterian Chuch, 455 Scotland St.
• Church of the Good Shepherd, 639 Edgewater Dr.

Narcotics Anonymous also offers meetings throughout the week at 4 locations in Dunedin.⁸

• Kirk of Dunedin Christian Church, 2686 Bayshore Blvd.
• Church of the Good Shepherd, 639 Edgewater Dr.
• First United Methodist Church, 411 Wood St.
• The Warehouse Club, 2024 Main St.

Support groups can not only serve as a stress reduction for people working to address their substance use disorder but also help them learn important ways to communicate and manage their addiction.

Sources:

1. Parker, M. (2021, October 13). County receives $2 million to counter opioid crisis.
2. The Pinellas County Opioid Task Force. (2021). The Opioid Epidemic in Pinellas County.
3. Hall, M. (2021, April 29). Community task force monitoring opioid use in Pinellas notes an increase in ER visits.
4. Medical Examiner District Six. (2021, June 15). Year 2020 Medical Examiner Annual Report.
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.) findtreatment.gov.
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services.
7. Pinellas County Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.) Dunedin meetings.
8. Narcotics Anonymous. NA meeting search.